Monster releases evidence in wrongful death lawsuit

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released findings back in October about the possible connection between five individual’s deaths and their consumption of Monster Energy Drinks, the beverage company released its own medical evidence earlier this week. According to Monster’s group of physicians, including a coroner, there is no medical, factual or statistical evidence to support those claims.

Anais Fournier, a 14-year-old girl, died in December 2011. Her family alleged that her consumption of two 24-oz. Monster Energy Drinks, taken over the course of 24 hours, led to her death, causing cardiac arrest.

Daniel Callahan, one of Monster’s lawyers, said in a press release that while the Maryland Medical Examiner’s report had listed “caffeine toxicity” as leading to Fournier’s death, there was no evidence to support such claims. He added that when asked why her report said that, the examiner admitted she was informed by the patient’s mother about the caffeine intake. No blood tests were done on Fournier to determine her caffeine levels at time of death.

Callahan added that Monster is very sorry for the family’s loss, but that the facts do not support the energy drink having anything to do with Fournier’s death.

“Millions of Monster Energy Drinks are safely consumed every day and there is not one direct link to a single death that we know of that has been proven,” he said. “We are confident that Monster Energy Drinks are safe when consumed responsibly and in accordance with recommendations on our labels.”

In order to ensure consumer safety, food and beverage companies should provide clear and accurate drink and food labels. It is important for shoppers to be able to adhere to recommended dosages, and they can easily do so when nutrition facts are not muddled and confusing.